On Sunday, November 9, Rio Branco and Londrina battled to a 1-1 draw at the Gigante do Itiberê stadium, showcasing the intensity of the Campeonato Paranaense. The match, part of the ninth round, was characterized by strong performances from both teams, thrilling fans until the final moments.
The first half of the game saw Rio Branco coming out with high energy. Within the initial minutes, they had several scoring opportunities. Their efforts, unfortunately, did not yield any results primarily due to outstanding saves from Londrina’s goalkeeper, Luiz Daniel. Meanwhile, Londrina managed to stabilize midway through the first half, creating opportunities of their own. Despite attempts from both sides, the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
After the break, the match maintained its lively atmosphere. Notably, Rio Branco continued to dominate possession, pushing forward relentlessly for the opening goal, but was repeatedly thwarted by Daniel. The breakthrough came at the 36-minute mark when disaster struck for Rio Branco; defender Berg accidentally directed the ball past his own goalkeeper, giving Londrina the lead.
With the score at 1-0, Londrina seemed set for victory, solidifying their position as league runners-up with 17 points and ensuring their advancement to the knockout stages with two matches left.
Despite trailing, Rio Branco refused to give up. They fought back fiercely, and their persistence paid off dramatically when Nicolas Suarez found the equalizer just moments before the final whistle, scoring at the 49-minute mark. The stadium erupted as Suarez celebrated, having salvaged a point for his team.
Interestingly, Rio Branco thought they had turned the game completely when they found the net again at the 51-minute mark. Yet, their joy was short-lived as the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving the match poised at 1-1.
Rio Branco ended the match with seven points, just above the relegation zone, showcasing both their struggle and determination throughout the season. On the other side, Londrina’s strategic play throughout the match highlighted their standing as one of the top teams this season, continuing to perform consistently against tough competitors.
A separate layer of drama unfolded as the fans voiced their dissatisfaction with the officials, demanding fairness and clearer judgments on possible fouls or offside calls during the game.
With this thrilling encounter behind them, both teams will look forward to their upcoming matches. Rio Branco will face São Joseense on Wednesday, November 12, away, at 3:30 PM, hoping to build momentum. Meanwhile, Londrina will host Andraus on the same day at 7 PM, aiming to maintain their strong form as they head toward the knockout stages.